Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Leaving Hong Kong

I have been in Hong Kong now for several days and enjoying the luxury accommodations of Johannes place. And the very pleasant weather. Not necessarily looking forward to the cold in Portland but I am looking forward to being home. This has been a good trip with only a few complications, so thankful for that.

Hong Kong is a very upscale place, a little like New York City, or San Francisco. It is was formerly a British colony only to be turned over to China in 1997. It seemed to be island with lots of small mountains. Coming in the bus, I could see lots of work being down to avoid small landslides and erosion. Where they can build, they have built straight up, one building after another, kind of like dominos all lined up in a row. I am not sure what would happen here if there was an earthquake. I think they would all topple.



I have been using the MTR train/subway. It reminds me a little what it was like in Washington DC. Johannes gave me an "octopus" card, which entitles me to ride anywhere, just swipe the card. So, I have been exploring.



Yesterday, I rode to the end where there is a cable car ride to the top of the mountain. I chose to ride in a glass bottom car, so you can see down into the forrest while you ride up. It is about a 25 minuter ride. I was a little nervous, as I was with all Chinese who seemed a little too relaxed as they moved about the car. I worried that maybe it would bounce too much and cause a problem. Also, the employers were checking the cable before we got on, so this too made me think negatively. But we made it to the top. On the way up, you can see a path used by monks to walk up to the top. I think it must take them at least one day to walk to the top. At the top, you can still walk up to get a closer view of the Buddha, but I didn't.



On the way back on the MTR, I went to another area to ride the ferry. There are several old ferries here, that work in conjunction with the MRT. There are several ferries that go to different places but I chose the one that I thought was close to where I was staying. It was a nice ride on the water and water looks clean. After about 30 minutes, got off. Now to find Johannes place.



I looked for signs of MTR but saw none. I have no problem asking strangers for directions, but so far they all told me there was no MTR near here. I thought I had plenty of time to walk so I just asked them for the general direction. Finally, someone told me the way. I began walking but the streets didn't go straight, so as I walked it curved around. I found myself walking through apartments and playgrounds to keep my direction straight. Finally, I found a man who was going to the MTR also, so we walked together. It ended up not to be that far.



Hong Kong is really a Shopping Mecca. Stores and Malls everywhere. Not sure what all these people do for work, but they must have good jobs. Things are expensive in HK and they use a different currency than China. Figure that one out!!

Ok, now this might be my last blog for a while, as I will be leaving for home tonight.. Hope you enjoy some of my travels.... Happy Trails to all!!




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Sunday, January 9, 2011

Border Crossing

My last day in China proved to be a real travel learning experience.






I wanted to change hotels on the last day because I worried that my local hotel might present some problems getting to the airport. But Julie assured me that the school would take me to the airport, albeit it was early. I only agreed to this plan after Julie told me she also would come to the airport, as the driver spoke no English.






Friday morning, at 6:20 am, I was waiting confidently in the lobby. A few minutes later, Julie called the hotel so say she was "running" to the hotel and would be there shortly. Again, I tried to remain calm even though I didn't see the driver and car. Julie arrived, and said we would have to go across the street to the school to get the driver and car. Of course the driver was not ready, but after a few minutes, we were off. Luckily at this time of day, the traffic was light. My goal was to get to the airport by 7 AM for an 8:20 AM flight. At the airport, Julie came in to help me find the right line to get my ticket. By the time I got to my gate, it was almost time for boarding so no extra time. The security and ticketing at the airport before boarding always seems to be a stressful experience.

The plane should have taken off on time but there was some problem with the passenger near the exit door. The airline staff never announced the cause of the delay, but finally, after about 30 minutes, we took off. Now, I felt I could relax.

I flew to Shenzhen, which is still in China, then I bought a bus ticket to Kowloon, which is the northern part of Hong Kong. I could have flown directly to Hong Kong, but this route would save me money and time, plus I thought I would see more on the bus.






About half way to Kowloon, you have to get off the bus to go through Customs and Immigration. Even though Hong Kong is a part of China, they have special status and so it is like entering another country. Everyone has to get off the bus and take all their belongs and go through Customs.

So, with my two bags, I walk towards the checkpoint. I already knew that I need to find a blank departure card because I didn't have mine. Next, I could see that the lines were long and saw that their was only one line for "foreigners"! As I waited in line, I worried that the bus wouldn't wait for me, but that was soon to be a moot question. I was slowing getting closer to the front and thinking it would be just routine.

Finally, I handed my passport to the official. He looked for the page that contained the China visa, then asked me what day I entered China. I told him Dec. 4, and he sort of stared at me. Then he told me to wait. Next another official came over to look at my passport. Finally, one of them told me I had overstayed my visit. I thought that was impossible. My Visa was good for one year. I had not read the fine print. True, it was good for one year, but only for 30 days at a time. I have never knew this.

So now I was taken to a special glass cage!! There were others in here too and all seemed to be stressed. I was told nothing, just to wait. Slowly, as if to increase your stress, they took each person out of the room. Finally, I was waiting alone. Next, they came and brought me to another glass room but saying nothing. I thought about asking but I thought that might actually hurt my case. I began to think about where the Am. Embassy might be. Ha!!

Also, I knew by now, my bus had left. And Johannes, who had told me he would meet me in Kowloon, needed to be notified. I decided to ask someone to use their phone to call Johannes. This couple who were with me, were speaking another language, but I asked them. I found out they were Taiwanese and they glad replied. I told Johannes that I was not in Jail yet but didn't feel very free!! Johannes thought I would have to just pay a fine. This sounded ok but I worried what currency they would take. I didn't have a lot of Chinese RMB and some USD and a Visa CC.

Finally, Felicia came to speak to me. She spoke excellent English. I again explained as calmly as I could that I thought my Visa was good for one year!! No one ever told me about the 30 day rule. I showed them my other Visas that never had anything more than a beginning and end day. This was a first for me. I even gave them my best "sob story". I told then I had volunteered in China and paid my own money to do this!! She was very interested and sympathetic. The normal fine for overstay is 500 RMB, which is over 50 USD. But If I agreed to never do this again, I could just sign a warning paper, and leave. I was happy to do this and always remember to check and double check all future Visas!!

Now, this delay cost me over one hour, and it seemed like about 4 hours. I finally left China, then went through HK customs without a hitch. Finally, I looked for a new bus and met Johannes in Kowloon. We went out for dinner and beer. I collapsed on his couch/bed so quickly that I don't remember anything after I closed my eyes.

Live and learn.









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Thursday, January 6, 2011

Leaving Xi'an



I spent one week visiting the college I volunteered at in March. After I left in March, I kept in contact with two students and a teacher by email. I thought because I was in Kunming already, I might as well visit Xi'an again before heading to Hong Kong. The two students had written to me many times and seemed excited about my return but warned me to bring some warm clothes. I would soon realize how prophetic that would be. These students also planned to met me at the airport, which they had never beebread too. I admired their initiative. When the head English teacher heard about this, she suddenly took control. Right before my flight, her email stated that she had arranged for the school car to pick me and the boys up. She also said that I could stay at the hotel across from the school. Because I wasn't sure of the cost at the hotel, I thought I could stay at the dorm. I would decide after I arrived.

As I left the baggage area in Xi'an, I look out to a sea of faces all anxious waiting for someone, some holding name signs. Yet, I immediately spotted David and Daniel waving to me and smiling. (I gave them Am. Names). Within minutes we were getting into the car Julia, the head English teacher had arranged. About 30 minutes later, we were at the school. I survey the dorm situation and the hotel. In my heart I wanted to stay at the dorm but my mind and my need for certain basic conventions overruled this idea. I opted for the hotel, which had heat, a decent bed, good bathroom, and some basic cleanness.



The school is located in the western part of the city, far from the nucleus. It is not in the country, but quite distinct from the real heart of the city. Yes there are supermarkets, restaurants, and other shops, but they all look the same and very local. The hotel staff couldn't speak any English and didn't seem to understand sign language when I tried to explain that there was no hot water. Occasionally, during the night there were power outages, which was explained by a knock on the door, some two minutes of Chinese which I did not understand, and then a return knock, saying that the power was back on.



The students often cameo my room to visit during the day and evening. They worried about me constantly. They always thought was starving and insisted on buying food and never let me pay. I think it was some of this "authentic" local food that did me in for several days. I could still function but I had a few too many trips to the comfort room. One time I remember eating food that they bought for dinner from somewhere on the street and I swear the vegetables were still frozen. Now, admittedly, it was very cold outside everyday, but because they were eating them and not saying anything, I didn't either. These students were very good to me. They bought bowls, cups, chopsticks, fruit, bread, cake, soup, noodles, meat, and gifts. I tried so many times to pay or do something for them, but they would out maneuver me every time. I know they don't have much money either, but give whatever they have.



Now, I also had a lot time to help Daniel and David plus other students with their English. David could hardly say one sentence in English before, and now he could carry on a basic conversation. I am hoping that their English will improve their chances of getting a better job. So many of these students have this American dream-to come to the U.S.-yet their own country, in the big cities, is not any different than America. China has everything and more. It is surprising tome how westernized China is.



A good example of this was one day I told them I hadn't had any sweet potatoes which they sell on the street cheap. I could eat this safely and it might taste better than some of the other food I had(I didn't tell them that). So we walk behind the dorm, where a man and his wife have a small street shop. Outside is a burn barrel, with charcoal or wood at the bottom and the potatoes roasting at the top. The man picks out about 4 of his best potatoes for us to choose from. I thought I would buy two. He immediately shoves two more in my hand and refuses my money. I don't know this man at all. I have never seen him before. He is living in the barest conditions behind his shop. I might be his only customer today. Next, his wife brings me a bag of cookies. Again, this is a gift. They instead in not taking any money in the strongest way. They have just heard from the students about me coming back to visit the school. Maybe this is why I like so many of the places and the people that I visit. Maybe there is a life lesson here.




Next to the sweet potatoes, there are several cement pingpong tables. Also, they have a row of bricks to serve as the net. Definitely a permanent structure for the outside elements. I see about four boys playing and I know Daniel likes to play. This is the first day that the sun has shined and so students have decided to use them. I told Daniel that I wanted to play so after eating my two sweet potatoes, I walked down and grabbed a paddle. Of course, they all thought it would be great fun to play me. I am not that good but I like to play. And I hadn't played in a while, but I must of looked fairly decent as I could hear some "ah's" and comments albeit in Chinese. After playing several students, the sweet potato man, who was so shy a few minutes before, now wanted to play pingpong with me. I knew that meant he was good, so we played several spirited minutes and he was smiling the whole time. I enjoyed it too. For the first time in many days, I felt almost warm!! Haha!!



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Sunday, January 2, 2011

In Xi'an

I left Kunming without any problem. Several teachers took us to the airport. Milt and I got separated because we were flying on different airlines. I didn't have a lot of extra time before boarding which was fine. My flight was a little less than two hours




Landing in Xi'an, I collected my bag and walked toward the exit. There was a mob of people waiting for friends, but in this group I saw two smiling faces, my former students David and Daniel. They had emailed me that they would be at the airport to pick me up. How very nice!! I was in Xi'an in March and was now returning to visit them and the teachers that met. Within minutes we were in the car, heading for the school. The principal wife had arranged the car to bring the boys to the airport, which was very nice too.

At the school, Julia met me and we went with her husband directly to a Chinese wedding of one of the school staff. The wedding was held in a very nice restaurant. When we arrived, we were greeted by the bride and groom. The groom seemed very happy that I attending. It is the first Chinese wedding that I have gone to.. The uncle finds a place at an empty table. All the tables are round, seating about 12 people each. We were early so as we waited more people joined us. Luckily, Chinese people don't dress us much for the weddings.



After we were there for some minutes, the MC came had wrote down my name of his list of toast givers. Julie had asked me to say a few words to the bride and groom. And I agreed, a "few words". It was now that I realized it might be a bigger deal than I thought, so now I am having second thoughts.




The ceremony begins with a short walk to a stage in the restaurant. They exchange vows, and pop some champagne. Then they start the toasts. I am the second person to speak. Of course, you have to walk to the stage and use a microphone. I some how thought of some sentences that hopefully sounded appropriate with Julia translating. I was very glad to get it over with.

One very nice part of the ceremony was the word of appreciation that the couple speak to their parents. The groom cried during this part. Afterwards, the eating begins. I am not sure how many different dishes they served but it must have been at least 50. I thought it would never end. And at the table, there is a bottle of special alcohol. This might have been the strongest alcohol I have ever had. It literally burned the inside of my mouth. And you drank it straight. I tried to just sip on it and I didn't have very much but it lasted a long time.

The groom was visiting tables of guests and at each table he would down a least a shot of this alcohol. I am not sure how much he drank but it had to be a lot. I couldn't understand how he could still be standing. And he was a very small man, maybe about 90 pounds. And of course, when he came to my table, he had to have this special toast with me, so I had to drink again with him!! When we left the wedding, he asked for my
phone number...ha! It was a very nice affair.






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